Heartburn & Acid Reflux
Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux).
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus).
Normally when you swallow, a band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then the muscle tightens again.
If the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus (acid reflux) and cause heartburn. The acid backup may be worse when you're bent over or lying down.
Long-lasting acid reflux is called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
Symptoms
The main symptoms of acid reflux are:
• heartburn – a burning sensation in the middle of your chest, usually after eating or at night
• an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, caused by stomach acid
• pain that increases when lying down or bending over
You may also have:
• a cough or hiccups that keep coming back
• a hoarse voice
• bad breath
• bloating and feeling sick
Your symptoms will probably be worse after eating, when lying down and when bending over.
Causes
Causes of heartburn and acid reflux
Lots of people get heartburn from time to time. There's often no obvious reason why.
Sometimes it's caused or made worse by:
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
A GP or pharmacist can help with heartburn and acid reflux
Speak to a pharmacist for advice if you keep getting heartburn.
They can recommend medicines called antacids that can help ease your symptoms.
When to see your GP:
• if lifestyle changes and pharmacy medicines are not helping
• you have experienced heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more
• you are getting food stuck in your throat, frequently being sick or losing weight for no reason
A GP can provide stronger treatments and help rule out any more serious causes of your symptoms.
Your GP may refer you to a specialist for:
• tests to find out what's causing your symptoms, such as a gastroscopy (where a thin tube with a camera is passed down your throat)
• an operation on your stomach to stop acid reflux – called a laparoscopic fundoplication
Treatment
There are over-the-counter medicines called antacids that can help ease your symptoms. It is recommended to take them with food or soon after eating, as this is when you're most likely to get heartburn. They may also work for longer if taken with food.
Simple lifestyle changes can also help stop or reduce heartburn.
• Try to eat smaller, more frequent meals
• raise the end of your bed or your pillow above the height of your stomach, so stomach acid does not travel up towards your throat
• try to lose weight if you're overweight
• try to find ways to relax
• avoid food or drink that triggers your symptoms
• try not to eat within 3 or 4 hours before bed
• avoid clothes that are tight around your waist
• avoid/quit smoking
• avoid drinking too much alcohol
Care at Chartwell Hospital
At Chartwell Digestive Health we have a team of experienced gastroenterology specialists, dedicated to providing the best possible care for all of our patients.
We diagnose and treat common abdominal symptoms such as rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit and abdominal pain which can be distressing for patients. In most cases, the symptoms are due to underlying health problems. However, for more serious cases, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment is key to recovery.
Our specialist team use comprehensive examinations and testing to diagnose various conditions. In addition to testing blood and stool samples, our Consultant Gastroenterologists may use other diagnostic tools including colonoscopy, gastroscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, MRI, X-rays, and CT scans.
Consultants & Departments
Department
Gastroenterology
Doctors
Meet our team of experienced gastroenterology specialists